The term Reiki, pronounced "Ray-Key", is the name given to a particular aspect of energy, and a way of healing that transmits this energy.

Reiki ideology believes that dis-ease begins when any part of a human or animal's life force energy is disrupted, blocked or weakened. There are many different reasons why imbalances occur, and unfortunately it doesn't take much to knock our systems out of balance --

• negative emotions such as anger, fear, doubt and anxiety that are inappropriately expressed or not expressed at all
• emotional trauma and shock
• a lack of self-love or self-worth
• a destructive lifestyle and/or relationships
• loneliness and absence of love from others
• grief and loss
• repression of your true being by others
• malnutrition and a poor diet
• toxicity, electromagnetic and chemical pollution
• depression and a pessimistic nature

Energy is channelled from its Source through the hands of the therapist to the client, where it goes through the aura, chakras, meridians and nadis of the body to areas that are depleted of energy due to blockage or disruption. To understand this theory it is good to imagine a road with potholes in it. If you poured water onto the road, it would naturally flow to where the potholes were located, filling them up with life-giving fluid. The energy system of the body is a highly complex structure of channels and vortices. This system is closely linked to the physical systems of the body, such as the major organs, however, they also affect our thoughts, feelings and personality.

Reiki has an unlimited and diverse effect on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual being, with its benefits helping any individual and their unique situation or imbalance. However, the most widespread and well known benefits of Reiki are as follows --

• stimulates your natural healing abilities to combat acute and chronic illnesses and/or dis-eases
• releases blocked energies
• relieves and reduces stress levels
• reduces high blood pressure (hypertension)
• increases confidence levels and self-esteem
• boosts and improves the immune system
• provides a deeply relaxed state
• promotes sleep and combats insomnia
• provides great comfort in times of grief and sadness
• assists with emotional clearing
• helps with spiritual growth, intuition and psychic awareness

Reiki is a completely safe therapy which complements other healing modalities perfectly. It is not a miracle cure, but its effects are cumulative, with profound benefits being experienced over time with regular sessions. Guidelines issued by the Reiki Association state the following --

It is unnecessary to remove clothing for Reiki because it passes through everything including blankets and even a plaster cast in the advent of broken bones. You will just need to remove your shoes, so it is a good idea to wear socks or bring a pair with you so your feet don't get cold.

It is possible to experience a wide range of feelings and emotions during a Reiki treatment, or to feel nothing at all. Everyone experiences Reiki in a different way, and whilst some people cannot perceptively 'feel' Reiki at all, others report to be blown away by their experiences. The only important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way with Reiki. Whether you feel something or not, Reiki will be hard at work within and throughout your entire being. The most common sensations that people report having are extreme heat or cold, tingling and pulsating. Some people also describe seeing colourful lights behind their closed eyelids, and others report vivid dreamlike states and visualisations. Most describe Reiki to be deeply relaxing, and may even fall into a revitalizing sleep during treatment.

It is not suitable to receive Reiki treatments if you have the following conditions --

• Pacemaker (Reiki can alter its rhythm)
• Broken bones (Reiki will accelerate the healing process of broken bones, so unless they have been set properly by a medical doctor, Reiki should not be used)